Young Stags eliminated at first hurdle

15 October 2014

Stags pay the price for poor finishing against Guiseley.

Our youth team are out of the FCYA League Cup, following a surprise 1-0 defeat to Guiseley at Kirklington Road this afternoon.

The Stags created plenty of chances and had more possession than their counterparts from West Yorkshire, but were made to pay the price for some wasteful finishing as Guiseley stole victory thanks to a strike by Wilson Laurenco.

The Stags dictated play for long stages in the first half, but couldn’t turn their pressure and territorial advantage into an opening goal.

Anthony Dwyer had the afternoon’s first real chance on 20 minutes, when he drifted inside from the left channel, but his rising shot didn’t trouble Guiseley ‘keeper Luke Wilson.

The Stags went even close on the half-hour mark when Tino Chavundura delivered a teasing cross towards an unmarked Rory Thomson inside the six-yard box, but the playmaker couldn’t get enough power on his header to get it on target.

Chances continued to be created and Dwyer whistled a shot wide of the opposite from an acute angle following a flick on by Cameron Dear, before Charlie Brownlie got on the end of a Conor Green cross, but saw his header saved by Wilson.

Dwyer then had two further chances, both of which were on target and saved by the ‘keeper, as the match remained goalless at the interval.

Mansfield continued to apply pressure after the re-start and Dwyer again went close on a couple of occasions either side of the hour mark, but each time his powerful efforts were straight at the visiting ‘keeper.

Guiseley hadn’t created much going forward, but aided by the introduction of burly forward Lamar Lindo, they went close when Lourenco let fly with a low drive from the edge of the area, which was straight at Adam Bishop.

The Stags failed to take heed of the warning signs and ultimately paid the price.

Guiseley took the lead when Jake Brown’s pass found a lurking Lourenco, and his shot from just inside the area bounced up and evaded Bishop, who could only watch on helplessly as the ball nestled in the right-hand corner.

Mansfield were momentarily shocked and almost went further behind within a couple of minutes, as Redmond Lee let fly with a swerving drive from the edge of the area, which was only just off target.

The Stags eventually regained the momentum and applied plenty of pressure in the closing exchanges, but an equaliser proved elusive.

Undoubtedly the best chance came on the brink of injury-time when Dwyer nipped past his marker on the by-line and played an inviting ball towards George Holloway at the near-post, but the substitute hit a rising shot high over the woodwork.

Ultimately, it was a disappointing day for John Ramshaw’s youngsters, and the focus now will be to challenge for the title in the FCYA (Midland Division).